Machine for automatically printing photographic proofs



O P. A. M. PRIOU 1,807,547

MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PRINTING PHOTOGRAPHIG PROOFS May 26, 1931.

Filed March 10, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet l P 1?- 777. PYOOL INVeNT K May26,1931. p pRlOU I 1,807,547

MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PRINTING PHOTOGRAPHIC PROOFS Filed March 10,1930 *4 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 26, 1931. P. A. M. PRIOU 1,807,547

MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PRINTING PHOTOGRAPHIC PROOFS Filed March 10,1930 4 sheets-sheet 5 I YENTo/g g .3 3. r 3 m 8 8 5 8 I'll. 2 wiswfiawfl waflwqw ummmfifia mg N N. I w

N q in g a may Q 3 .3 Q N 2 I 2 Nq n 2 w m 8 2 E h p mm. ia a g 3 w an y26, 1.931- P. A. M. PRIOU MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PRINTINGPHOTOGRAPHIC PROOFS Filed March 10, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented May26, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PIERRE AUGUSTE MARCELLIN PBIOU, OFCHINON, FRANCE Application filed March 10, 1930, Serial No. 434,744, andin France March 11, 1929.

I the negatives to be copied and the masks.

Usually, no device is provided for easily centering the negative plateson the masks and for subsequently holding them stationary in the chosenposition. It results there from that as the negative plates and the"exposure-counter, of any known type, me

extremely easy, through the intervention at masks are not held, they canmove during the printing operation which becomes so much the moredelicate as it is also necessary to center the paper on the negative foreach new impression to be effected. Once the impression is effected,difficulties are encountered and time is lost for removing the printedpaper, which is in intimate contact with the negative.

The present invention remedies these various inconveniences and allows:

1The adjustment of the masks according to the desired margin, and thelocking in position of the same;

2An easy and extremely rapid centering of the negative plates andvignetting-papers on the masks;

3The absolute and instantaneous locking of these various elementsrelatively to each 1 other 4The automatic centering of the photographicpapers;

5The automatic printing of the papers or positive plates through themedium of an chanically controlled by the movable arm of the printingmachine;

6The automatic ejection of the printed papers whatever may be theirsize;

7The automatic unlocking of the negative plates the printing of which isfinished and their instantaneous replacement by other negative plates;

8The, retouching or correcting rendered the back of the glass plate ofthe margining plate-carrying frame, which, for that. purpose, isreversible.

By way of example, the accompanying drawings illustrate one of the formscarrying out the invention.

Fig. 1 is a side view of the printing ma chine in printing position.

Fig. 2 is a corresponding front view.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal Vertical section made according to line 33 ofFig. 2;

Figs. 4 and 5 are partial longitudinal vertical sections explaining theoperation.

Figs. 6 to 8 are partial plan views showing the mode of pivoting, on thebox or cabinet of the printing machine, the various frames constitutingthe margining plate-carrying framing.

Figs. 9 to 11 illustrate in detail the device for unlocking theplate-carrying frame.

Figs. 12 and 13 are detail views showing a modification in elevation andplan view.

As illustrated in the drawings, the machine comprises a box 1 on one ofthe open side faces of which a margining plate-carrying framing can beraised and brought into printing position, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and2; this plate-carrying framing which is pivoted at 2, at its base, onthe box 1, can also be swung downward to horizontal position, as shownin Figs. 4 and 5.

The plate-carrying framing, which is held against the open inclined faceof the box 1 by a counterweight 3, is wnstituted by three frames.

The first frame 4 sn ports a fixed glassplate 5 against which car thenegatives 6. The second frame 7 carries at its middle portion anothersmaller movable frame or pressing frame 8 which is adapted to lock thenegative in the chosen position, and to serve as an abutment for thepapers 9 to be printed. For that purpose. it carries at its peripheryleaf springs 11 which, bearing against small bars 12 secured on theframe 7, exert a strong pressure on the inner movable frame 8 and compelit to project on the inner face of the frame 7. This frame 7 and theframe 4 carrying the glass-plate 5, are connected at their base byhinges 13 the axis of which coincides with the pivoting axis 2 of theentire framing. Two locking bolts constituted by two spring leaves 14each terminated by a hook 15, are secured on the upper edge of the frame4 and are adapted to maintain the said frame 4 and the frame 7 connectedto each other, either in the raised position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, orin the bent down position shown in Fig. 5. The end of the hooks 15 beingcut on a bevel, the connection of the frames .4 and '7 is automatic,when a sufficient pressure is exerted on one of them. The spacing apartof these two frames 4 and 7 in closing position, is determined in such amanner that the pressing frame 8, pushed by the springs 11, firmlypresses against the glass-plate 5, by thus looking all the negativeplates 6 interposed between the said frame 7 and the glass-plate 5 ofthe frame 4.

In order, to avoid the opening'of the platecarrying frame upon eachchange of negatives, an'automatic unlocking device is provided. Thisdevice is composed'(Figs. 9 to 11) of two spindles 16 journalled insupports 18 secured on the pressing frame 8. Each of these spindlescarries two cams 19 bearing against metal members 20 secured on the edgeof the frame 7, when an angular rotary mo ement is imparted in thesuitable direction to both spindles 16 by the bent end 16", forming acrank, of these spindles. Re-' ferring'to'Fig. 11, it will be seen thatthe cams 19 are raised and do not act on the frame 8; the latter,subjected to the action of the springs 11, presses the negative plates 6against the glass-plate '5. Referring to Figs. 9 and 10,'it will be seenthat the cranks 16 are raised and that the cams 19, by moving the frame8 away from the glass-plate 5,

have determined the unclamping of the negative plates 6 and theirrelease.

The frame 7 carries on its upper side, and pivoted about a stud orspindle 21, a device for locking the masks,this device being constitutedby a double clip 22 provided with aspring 23 and an operating lever 24.When this lever 24 is pressed upon, the clip 22 by rocking about thestud 21 opens and allows the placing in position or the removal of themasks 25. By releasing the lever 24, the spring 25 causes the clip topowerfully reclose for retaining'the masks in position on the negativeplates.

Between the frame 4 and the box 1 is arranged avignetting-paper-carrying frame 27, which pivots about the same axis 2as the plate-carrying framing constituted by the three frames 4, 7 and8, and which can be swung downwards at the same time as the saidframing' A ground glass 28 is flush with its rear face and long springleaves 29 are arranged on the inner side of the said ground glass andare adapted to hold in any desired position the vignetting-papers 26 ofall kinds which may be used. The base or supportof the box 1 encloses adrawer 30 at the front of which is provided with a housing surmounted bya ground glass 32 and a red glass 32, slidable'in grooves in thedirection of the length of the drawer. This housing 31 contains anelectric lamp 33 automatically lighting for allowing to center and toretouch or correct the negative plates 6, when the said drawer has beenbrought to the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5, previously totheswinging downward of the platecarrying framing. For that purpose thesides of the drawer are provided with rubbing members constituted by aresilient metal blade 34 which comes in contact with a correspondingcurrent distributing metal blade secured on the inner walls of the baseof the box 1. The length of this blade is calculated in such a mannerthat the lamp 33 lights when the housing 31 which contains it passesunder the opening of the plate-carrying framing, when the latter isfolded down (Figs. 4 and 5), and that it automatically extinguishes whenthe drawer is completely open or is in closing position.

Within the bow 1 of the machine are arranged: a red lamp 35, twocarriers each supporting two white lamps 36, and sliding in parallelgrooves 37, so that they can be independently moved, at will, towardsthe glass-plate 28 of the apparatus. The said carriers can also-beremoved from the grooves and can be put in any place, for the purpose ofallowing to easily modify, as the operator desires, the distribution ofthe light on the negatives 6; For the same purpose, the white lamps 36of each carrier canbe so mounted as to pivot about the central axiswhich connects them to their base. Within the box 1 is also mounted apneumatic shock absorber adapted to brake the raising movement of theplate-carrying fran'iing, when it comes to its printing position, afterejection of the papers. This shock absorber comprises a pump barrel 40,in which moves a piston 41, subjected to the action to a spring 42,which is so arranged as to bring back the piston towards the front headof the cylinder and the rod 41 of the said piston projecting in front ofthe box, as illustrated in Fig. 5, this rod 41 freely passing throughanopening 37 of the frame 27. At the opposite end, the pump barrel 40 isperforated with an air exhaust orifice, the section of which can becontrolled by a screw 43 terminated by a milled knob. In the exampleshown, this screw is provided, in thedirection of its length, with agroove through which escapes the air compressed by the piston, whenthelatter is pushed-back, against the action of its spring 42, bytheplate-carrying framing at the end of the raising stroke of thelatter. it will be understood that by screwing or unscrewingthis screw43 by means of its knob, it is possible to control at will the speed ofescape of the air, and, consequently, the resistance'of the shockabsorber. j 4

On either side of the box 1, is provided an opening or window 44internally provided with a red glass sliding in horizontal slides 46.This opening or window 44 gives access to the interior ofthe box formodifying either the position of the lamps, or that of thevignetting-papers, etc. It also serves to give, outside the apparatus, asufficient lighting for allowing to read the indications of theexposure-counter. This exposure counter, can, of course, be of any knownconstruction and can be set in action by a pressure exerted by a pushbutton, as in the exposure counters actuated by hand.

At the upper part of the box of the apparatus is mounted a doublemovable arm 47, pivoted at 48 on the said box, and on which is mounted,hung from springs 49, the pressing plate 50 for the paper. This doublemovable arm, which is balanced by a counterweight 51, carries anoperating transverse handle 52 secured at its other end and connectingboth arms 47. The said double arm is also provided with a. lockingdevice holding the pressing plate 50 in its bent down position andfitted in the frame 8, when the ll latter is raised in printingposition, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

This device comprises a spindle 53 which is journalled in supportssecured on the double arm 47, and carries a finger 54 which III hooksinto the pressing frame 8 under the away during the raising movement ofthe action of a spring 55, and which can be detached forreleasing thepressing plate 50 by a pressure exerted 011 an operating lever 1 On theside of the double movable arm 47 carrying the pressing plate 50, issecured a member 57, the end of which is bevelled and which carries,adjacent to its end, a roller 58. This member which accompanies the arm57 in its displacements, is adapted:

1-'Io control, at the end of the folding down movement (or closingmovement) of the said movable arm 47, and through the medium of thelever 59 pivoted at 60, the operation of the exposure counter,diagrammatically illustrated at 61 in Figs. 1 and 2.

2Upon return movement (or opening movement) of the movable arm 47, todetermine the ejection of the printed sheets of photographic paper, byactuation, up to a suitable point, of the plate-carrying framing, bymeans of the arm 57 encountering in this return movement an abutment 62carried by the frame 4, and so arranged as to move structure constitutedby the frames 4, 7 and 8.

The exposure-counter 61 placed on the side of the apparatus, istherefore controlled by the movable arm 47 which, in its downwardmovement, determines, through the arm 57, the rocking of the lever 59 inthe suitable direction for pressing in the push-button 63 provided inthe usual manner on the exposure-counter.

In the form of construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8, a vertical rod64, which carries the push-button 63, slides in a support 65 and issubjected to the action of a spring 67 which pushes it upwardly.

On the upper end of this rod 64, is rigidly secured a blade 65, of smallwidth, the end of which presses upon the upper conical end of the rod 66for setting the exposure-counter. On the rod 64 is secured a finger 67,the end of which, passing through the rod, is held in cont-act, by thetorsion of the spring 67 under an incline 68 of the support 65.

The operation of the apparatus described with reference to Figs. 1 to 8and 9 to 11 is as follows:

10ente1"ing and locking of the negative plates.By opening the drawer 30,the lamp 33 automatically lights, by the contact of the rubbing membersplaced on the side of the drawer and of the base. The plate-carryingframing is then rocked on to the drawer, as illustrated in Fig. 5. Afteropening of the hooks 15, the frame 4 carrying the glass plate 5 israised. The counterweight 3 holds this frame 4 in the raised positionshown in Fig. 4, whilst the frame 7 remains lowered. The mask 9 which itis desired to use is then placed on the said frame 7; the locking clip22 holds thismask in position on the movable frame 8 mounted in theframe 7. The negative plate or plates 6 to be printed are then placed011 the said mask, and the frame 4 carrying the glass plate 5 is swungdown on to the frame 7, as shown in Fig. 5. Both frames are hooked bytheir upper edge by the automatic action of the hooks 15. The pressingframe 8 then directly acting on the negative plates 6 interposed betweenit and the glass plate 5, securely lock them in position. If it isdesired to retouch or correct these negative plates the inactinic glass33 which covers the lighted housing 33 is moved backwardly in thegrooves of the drawer 30. This displacement, shown in Figs. 4 and 5, hasfor effect to light the negative or negatives 6 with white light and toprevent any actinic light from reaching the sensitized papers placed inthe rear compartment of the drawer 30.

The frames 7 and 4 occupying the position shown in Fig. 5, the deviceconstituted by these frames is then raised and. being urged by thecounterweight 3, is thus brought back into printing position (Figs. 1 to3). In order to activate the operation, it is not necessary to rock andopen the frame 7 carrying the pressing frame 8, at each change ofnegative plates. In fact the device constituted by these two framesbeing raised, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, by causing the cranks 16 rigidwith the shafts 16 to rotate upwardly to the extent of a quarter of arevolution. it is possible, by the action of the cams 19 pro vided onthese shafts, to completely eliminate the pressure exerted by thepressing frame 8 upon the interposed negative plates; the lat-' ter canbe very easily removed'by one of the sides of the framing andimmediately replaced by other plates. These new plates, once suitablycentered, are locked in the chosen position, by the simple operation ofthe said cranks 16 in the reverse direction.

'92Pm'nting of the papcrs.-A sheet of paper of the chosen size is placedin the pressing frame 8; the inner edges of this frame acting as anabutment, and the position of the mask 9' and of the negative 6 .beingadjusted once for all upon centering, it results therefrom that all thepapers which may be subsequently placed in the pressing frame 8, areinstantaneously and automatically margined, The movable arm 47 of theprinting machine is then lowered and is automatically locked at the endof its stroke by engagement of the hook 54 with the pressing frame 8.

In this lowering movement, the member 57, secured on the side of themovable arm 47, comes in contact with-the abutment 62 which, beingpivoted, allows it to pass without difficulty. At the end of its stroke,the member 57 draws along, through its roller, the control lever 60which then presses upon the push-rod 64 of the exposure-counter. Thispush-rod 64 by moving inwardly, draws along, by means of the blade 65,the rod 66 for setting the exposure-counter. VVhen it has come to theend of its stroke, the finger 67, by sliding on the inclined edge 68 ofthe support, has sufficiently pivoted in order that the blade 65, whichis rigid with the rod 64, extends beyond the setting rod 66, the top ofwhich is thus uncovered. This rod 66 then escapes, butis braked uponstarting, by the friction of its conical end against the blade 65, thusdeadening the starting shock of the mechanism of the exposure-counter.This mechanism starts therefore at the precise moment the sensitizedpaper, placed on the negative plate, receives the pressure of thepressing plate 50. The setting in action of the exposure counterdetermines, in the usual manner, the lighting then the extinguishment ofthe printing lamps 36 The movable arm 47 is then released by previouslypressing upon the lever 56, which causes the hoo: 54 to rock against theaction of the spring 55 and releases the said hook, from the pressingframe 8 with which it was in engagement, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3. Themovable arm 47 is subsequently raised to the position shown in Figs. 4and 5. In this return movement of the movable arm, the arm 57 firstceases to press upon the rod 64 of the exposure counter 61. pushed bythe spring 67 immediately rises. the blade coming back to its originalposition, above the setting rod 66.

The arm 57 then comes in engagement with This rod,

thefinger 62 rigid with the plate-carrying framing and, consequently,draws along the latter which pivots about the shaft 2until the said arm57 abandons the finger 62, the plate-carrying framing then occupying anoblique position, the'printed paper it contains falls down, by inertia,in the drawer 3, whatever may be its size. The plate-carrying framingurged by the counterweight 3, tends to suddenly come back to itsprinting position, butin this movement it comes in contact with the rod41 of the shock absorber,- which projects in front of the box 1 and itpushes back the piston 1- which moves against the action of its spring42, by delivering air from the cylinder 40 through the outlet orilice,the cross section of which has been regulated by the screw 43, so astobrake the return movement of the plate-carrying framing and to allow thelatter tovery gently come back to its place for a new impression.

In the form of construction shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the device forsettingand tripping the exposure-counter 61 is constructed in thefollowing manner:

The lever 59, which must press upon the push-button 63 of theexposure-counter, is freely mounted on a shaft 61, securedin a platefastened in position on one of the sides of the box 1, and is subjectedto the action of a spring 69 normally holding it in a raised positionabove the push-butt0n'63; On the shaft 60 of this lever is looselymounted a finger 70 which is connected to the lever 59 by a spring 71,and is held'by the said'spring against an adjustable abutment 7210f thesaid lever 59. n

This finger 70 is so arranged as to beengaged by the roller 58 of thearm 57 upon raising of the pressing frame 50, and to actuate the lever59 through the medium of the abutment 72, for pressing in thepush-button63. The free end of'this finger 70 is prefer ably bevelled so as toprolong its contact with the roller 58 and to, ensure-the starting ofthe mechanism of the exposure-counter after closing of the pressingframe 50.

It will be understood that the extent to which the rod 64 of theexposure-counter is pressed in can be adjusted at will by-screwing orunscrewing the bolt .72 constituting the abutment of the lever 59.

The spring 71, which connects'the finger 7 O to the lever 59, allows ofrocking downwardly the said finger about the shaft 60, in

order to bring it to a diametrically opposed position in which it is nolonger inthe path of the roller 58. In this position, the pushbutton 62of the exposure-counter is lowered by hand in the usual manner.

In the form of construction illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13, the arm 57carries a second roller 58*, mountedon the same stud as the roller 58and which is so arranged as tocome in engagement with the lever 73 of aswitch 7 4, for closing the circuit feeding the lamps 36, immediatelyupon closing of the pressing frame 50. 7

Claims 1. An automatic printing machine for photographic proofs,comprising,-a box open on one of its side faces,lamps adjustable inposition withinthe said box,a frame hinged by its lower edge on the saidbox, a ground glass carried by this frame and adapted to serve assupport for vignetting-papers and for covering the opening of the box, alatch pivoted on the box for holding the said frame in the raisedposition,a p1ate-carrying framing comprising two frames pivoting, ontheir lower edge, about the axis of the ground glass frame, and adaptedto be superposed and to be raised against the ground glass frame, atransparent glass for the first of these frames, a frame sliding in thesecond one, springs arranged between. these two frames for pushing backthe sliding frame towards the transparent glass and resilient- 1ypressing the negative plates previously placed on the sliding frame,adouble clip on the upperside of the second frame for holding the masksin position,spring latches for locking together the two framesconstituting the plate-carrying framing,a counterweight for holding thisframing in printing position ,means carried by the sliding frame forputting out of action the springs acting on the latter and allowing torelease the negative plates after printing,two arms pivoted on the upperpart of the box, a pressing plate resiliently suspended between thesearms, and adapted to fit in the sliding frame for pressing, thephotographic paper during printing,means for locking the pressing platein printing position,an exposure-counter secured on the said box,a leverpivoted on the said box for controlling the starting of theexposure-counter,means carried by one of the arms supporting thepressing plate and adapted to actuate the said lever at the end ofthefolding down stroke of the pressing plate and putting in action theexposurecounter,means carried by the plate-carrying framing and adaptedto be actuated by the above mentioned means for opening this framing andunlocking the negative plates after printing.

2. An automatic printing machine for photographic proofs co1nprising,abox open on one of its side faces,lamps adjustable in position withinthe said box,-a frame hinged by its lower edge on the said box, a groundglass carried by this frame and adapted to serve as support forvignetting-papers and for covering the opening of the box, a latchpivoted on the box for holding the said frame in the raised position,aplatecarrying frame comprising two frames pivoting, on their lower edge,about the axis of the ground glass frame, and adapted to be superposedand to be raised against the ground glass frame, a transparent glass forthe first of these frames, a frame sliding in the second one, springsarranged between these two frames for pushing back the slidried by thesliding frame, two cams mounted on each of these shafts and adapted tobear upon the frame carrying the sliding frame for causing the latter toreenter the frame which carries it against the action of its springs andfor releasing the negative plates after printing,two arms pivoted on theupper part of the box, a pressing plate resiliently suspended betweenthese arms, and adapted to fit in the sliding frame for pressing thephotographic paper during printing,means for locking the pressing platein printing position,an exposure-counter secured on the said box,a leverpivoted on the said box for controlling the starting of theexposure-counter,-means carried by one of the arms supporting thepressing plate and adapted to actuate the said lever at the end of thefolding down stroke of the pressing plate and putting in action theexposurecounter,means carried by the plate-carrying framing and adaptedto be actuated by the above mentioned means for opening this framing andunlocking the negative plates after printing.

3. An automatic printing machine forphotographic proofs, comprising,-abox open on one of its side faces,'lamps adjustable in position withinthe said box,a frame hinged by its lower edge on the said box, a groundglass carried by this frame and adapted to serve as a support for thevignetting-papers and for covering the opening of the box, a latchpivoted on the box for holding the said frame in the raised position,- aplate-carrying framing comprising two frames pivoting, on their loweredge, about the axis of the ground glass frame, and adapted to besuperposed and to be raised against the ground glass frame, atransparent glass for the first of these frames, a frame sliding in thesecond one, springs arranged between these two frames for pushing backthe sliding frame towards the transparent glass and resiliently pressingthe negative plates previously placed on the sliding frame,a double clip011 the upper side of the second frame for holding the masks inposition,--spring latches for locking together the two framesconstituting the plate-carry ing framing,-a counterweight for holdingthis framing in Printing P0sitiOn tWO horizontal-shafts carried by thesliding frame, two :cams mounted on each of these shafts and adaptedto'bear upon the frame carrying the sliding frame for'causing the latterto reenter the frame which carries it against theaction of its springsand for releasing the negative plates after printing,two arms pivoted onthe upper part of the box, a pressing plate resiliently suspendedbetween these arms, and'adapted to fit in the sliding frame for pressingthe photographic paper during printing,'a hook pivoted on the armscarrying the pressing plate? and adapted to enter a staple of-the framecarrying the sliding plate for locking the pressing plate in theprinting position,an exposure-counter secured on the said box, a leverpivoted on the said box for controlling the starting of the justable inposition within the said box,.a

frame hinged by its lower edge on the said box, a ground glass carriedby this frame and adaptedto'serve as support for vignettingpapers andfor covering the opening of the box, a latch pivoted on the box holdingthe said frame in the raised position,a platecarrying framing comprisingtwo frames pivoting, on their lower edge, about the axis of the groundglass frame, and adapted to be superposed and to be raised against theground glass frame,'.a transparent glass for the first of these frames,a frame sliding in thesecond one, springs arranged between these twoframes for pushing'back the sliding frame towards the transparent glassand resiliently pressing the negative plates previously placed on thesliding frame,a double clip on the upper side of the second frame forholding the masks: in position,spring printing position,two horizontalshafts carried by the sliding frame, two cams mounted on each of theseshafts and adapted to bear'upon the frame carrying the sliding frame forcausing the latter to re-enter the 1 frame which carries it'against theaction of 7 its springs-land for releasing the negative plates afterprintii' g,-two' arms pivoted on' the upper part of the box, a pressingplatev resiliently suspended between these arms, and

adapted to fit in the sliding frame for pressing the photographic paperduring print ing,a hook pivoted on the arms carrying the pressing plateand adapted to entera staple of the frame carrying the sliding plate forlocking the pressing pla-te in the printingpo- 7 with the said lever andto put in action the exposure-counter at the end of the folding downstroke of the pressing plate,-means carried by the plate-carryingframing and adapted to be actuated by the above mentioned'means foropening this framing and unlocking the negative plates after printing.

5. An automatic printing machine for photographic proofs, comprising,abox open on one of its side faces,lamps adjustable in position withinthe said box,- a frame hinged by its lower edge on thesaid box, a groundglass carried by this frame and adapted to serve as support forvigetting-papers and for covering the opening of the box, a latchpivoted on the box for holding the said frame in the raised posi tion,aplate-carrying framing comprising two frames pivoting, on their loweredge, about the axis of the ground glass frame, and adapted to besuperposed and to be raised against the ground glassframe, a transparentglass for the first of these frames a frame sliding in the second one,springs arranged between these two frames for pushing back the slidingframe towards the transparent glass and resiliently pressing thenegative plates previously placed on the sliding frame,a, double clip onthe upper side of the'second frame for holding the masks inposition,--spring latches for locking together the two framesconstituting the plate-carrying framing,a counterweight for holding thisframing in printingposition,two horizontal shafts carried by the slidingframe, two cams mounted on each of these shafts and adapted to bear uponthe frame carrying the sliding frame for causing the'latter to reenterthe frame which carries it against the action of its springs and forreleasingthe negative plates after printing,two arms pivoted on theupper part of the'box, a press-V for pressing the photographic paperduring printing,a hook pivoted on the arms carrying the pressingplateand adaptedto enter a staple of the frameicarrying the slidingplate for locking the'pressing plate inthe printingpositiens-anexposure-counter secured on the said box, -a lever pivotedon the said box for controllingthe starting of the exposurecounter,anarm rigid with members supporting the pressing plate, a roller carriedby this arm and adapted to come in contact with the said lever and toput in action the exposure-counter at the end of the folding down strokeof the pressing plate,an abutment pivoted on the plate-carrying framingand adapted to be engaged by the roller of the arm rigid with thesupport of the pressing plate and to rock the said framing in thedirection for opening, in order to unlock the negative plates at the endof the printing op eration and during the return movement of thepressing plate.

6. A printing machine as claimed in claim 1 in which the arm rigid withthe means supporting the pressing plate controls, during its loweringmovement, the starting of the exposure-counter and the closing of theelectric circuit feeding the lamps of the printing machine.

The foregoing specification of my machine for automatically printingphotographic proofs signed byme this 21 day of February, 1930.

PIERRE AUGUSTE MARCELLIN PRIOU.

